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What primary focus does ethnobotany have in relation to tribal and rural communities?
What primary focus does ethnobotany have in relation to tribal and rural communities?
Which characteristic of India supports extensive ethnobotanical research?
Which characteristic of India supports extensive ethnobotanical research?
What makes the Indian subcontinent particularly significant for ethnobotanical studies?
What makes the Indian subcontinent particularly significant for ethnobotanical studies?
What promotes the resurgence of interest in ethnobotanical research in India?
What promotes the resurgence of interest in ethnobotanical research in India?
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What was the title under which the papers from the seminars on ethnobotany were compiled?
What was the title under which the papers from the seminars on ethnobotany were compiled?
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What does the ethnobotanical continuum found in ancient texts allow researchers to do?
What does the ethnobotanical continuum found in ancient texts allow researchers to do?
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In which areas of India are tribal populations known for their distinct cultural practices?
In which areas of India are tribal populations known for their distinct cultural practices?
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Which of the following regions has NOT been mentioned as a site for ethnobotanical studies?
Which of the following regions has NOT been mentioned as a site for ethnobotanical studies?
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The study of ethnobotany encompasses various disciplines. Which of the following is NOT typically included?
The study of ethnobotany encompasses various disciplines. Which of the following is NOT typically included?
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Approximately how many plants have been recorded for various uses in ethnobotany?
Approximately how many plants have been recorded for various uses in ethnobotany?
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What is one role of ethnobotany in the context of indigenous knowledge?
What is one role of ethnobotany in the context of indigenous knowledge?
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What purpose does the Indian Institute of Ecology & Environment aim to achieve with the proposed herbarium?
What purpose does the Indian Institute of Ecology & Environment aim to achieve with the proposed herbarium?
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Which of the following tribes is associated with ethnobotanical studies mentioned in the content?
Which of the following tribes is associated with ethnobotanical studies mentioned in the content?
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What has been a significant outcome of the studies on ethnobotany mentioned in the content?
What has been a significant outcome of the studies on ethnobotany mentioned in the content?
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How is ethnobotany sometimes misinterpreted according to the content?
How is ethnobotany sometimes misinterpreted according to the content?
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Which of the following is NOT listed as a category of plant use in ethnobotany?
Which of the following is NOT listed as a category of plant use in ethnobotany?
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What was initiated by Dr. E.K. Janaki Ammai in the Botanical Survey of India?
What was initiated by Dr. E.K. Janaki Ammai in the Botanical Survey of India?
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Which institution proposed an All India project on Ethnobotany in 1974?
Which institution proposed an All India project on Ethnobotany in 1974?
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Which of the following regions in India is known for having as many as fourteen distinct subtribes?
Which of the following regions in India is known for having as many as fourteen distinct subtribes?
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What significant development in the field of ethnobotany occurred during the last two decades?
What significant development in the field of ethnobotany occurred during the last two decades?
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What was one of the main outcomes triggered by the early publications from the Botanical Survey of India in the 1960s?
What was one of the main outcomes triggered by the early publications from the Botanical Survey of India in the 1960s?
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Which of the following institutions did NOT participate in the All India project on Ethnobotany?
Which of the following institutions did NOT participate in the All India project on Ethnobotany?
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Which of the following disciplines recognized ethnobotany for doctoral and post-doctoral work?
Which of the following disciplines recognized ethnobotany for doctoral and post-doctoral work?
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When did the formal project on Ethnobotany begin its operations?
When did the formal project on Ethnobotany begin its operations?
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What primary method is used in ethnobotany to collect information from local informants?
What primary method is used in ethnobotany to collect information from local informants?
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What is a common challenge faced in identifying plants from ancient literature?
What is a common challenge faced in identifying plants from ancient literature?
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Which example illustrates the difficulty in identifying ancient plants?
Which example illustrates the difficulty in identifying ancient plants?
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What type of literature is suggested as a valuable resource for ethnobotanical research?
What type of literature is suggested as a valuable resource for ethnobotanical research?
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What is one piece of information that field work in ethnobotany typically focuses on collecting?
What is one piece of information that field work in ethnobotany typically focuses on collecting?
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What advantage do herbarium sheets provide in ethnobotanical research?
What advantage do herbarium sheets provide in ethnobotanical research?
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In the study of ethnobotany, the term 'voucher specimens' refers to what?
In the study of ethnobotany, the term 'voucher specimens' refers to what?
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Which of the following statements regarding local names of plants is true?
Which of the following statements regarding local names of plants is true?
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What is a defining feature of ethnobotanical data compared to other literature?
What is a defining feature of ethnobotanical data compared to other literature?
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Which herbarium enumerated sixty five species of medicinal plants?
Which herbarium enumerated sixty five species of medicinal plants?
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What aspect of ethnobotany involves studying archaeological remains?
What aspect of ethnobotany involves studying archaeological remains?
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Who made significant attempts to describe plants depicted in ancient architectures in India?
Who made significant attempts to describe plants depicted in ancient architectures in India?
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Which of the following best describes sacred groves in the context of ethnobotany?
Which of the following best describes sacred groves in the context of ethnobotany?
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What was emphasized as a traditional practice in India that relates to ethnobotany?
What was emphasized as a traditional practice in India that relates to ethnobotany?
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What is the primary role of ethnobotany beyond recording plant species?
What is the primary role of ethnobotany beyond recording plant species?
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Which of the following aspects is NOT commonly associated with ethnobotanical studies?
Which of the following aspects is NOT commonly associated with ethnobotanical studies?
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What is a significant reason for the preservation of sacred forests in India?
What is a significant reason for the preservation of sacred forests in India?
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What role do sacred groves play in relation to biological diversity?
What role do sacred groves play in relation to biological diversity?
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Which of the following plants is used as a condiment in the Khasi hills?
Which of the following plants is used as a condiment in the Khasi hills?
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Which plant is primarily grown by Mizo tribals for its oil seeds and edible kernel?
Which plant is primarily grown by Mizo tribals for its oil seeds and edible kernel?
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Which of the following statements about ethnobotanical studies is true?
Which of the following statements about ethnobotanical studies is true?
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What is the primary use of the fruits of Alangium salviifolium?
What is the primary use of the fruits of Alangium salviifolium?
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What condition does Asparagus racemosus treat when prescribed as a drink?
What condition does Asparagus racemosus treat when prescribed as a drink?
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Why do the tribal pockets in forests cultivate various vegetable crops?
Why do the tribal pockets in forests cultivate various vegetable crops?
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Study Notes
Ethnobotany in India - Overview
- Ethnobotany studies the knowledge of plants amongst tribal and rural communities, focusing on their unique uses for herbal medicine, food, and conservation
- It's a multidisciplinary field combining plant science, history, anthropology, culture and literature
- Indian Ethnobotany is crucial for scientific, sociological, and historical research; it leverages the extensive knowledge about plant properties and uses still present in native cultures
- India boasts significant ethnobotanical wealth due to its diverse flora and many tribal communities
- This provides researchers with exceptional opportunities, especially given the unique and close relationship between these groups and their surrounding environments.
- The region's varied flora, from deserts to rainforests, has a profound historical aspect, evident through texts like the Vedas, connecting modern folk knowledge to ancient practices.
Areas Rich for Ethnobotanical Study
- India's diverse flora and numerous tribal communities offer considerable scope for ethnobotanical studies. The tribal areas of central India, western Ghats, and the Himalayas are especially important regions.
- Northeast India, with its distinct tribes and sub-tribes, represents another potential area.
- The large number of various tribal groups in different pockets of the country are key to these studies.
Recent Studies
- Organized ethnobotanical work in India began only about two decades ago
- Botanic Survey of India played a key role in initiating and developing this field of study
- E.K. Janaki Ammal, a botanist, performed early significant research on subsistence food plants of certain tribal groups in Central India
- Effective methodology for ethnobotanical study was developed
Methods of Ethnobotanical Research
- Fieldwork involves collecting data directly from local communities, gathering detailed information on the plant's parts used, how they're collected, processed, prepared as medicine, dosage, and administration. Voucher specimens are crucial for documentation purposes. Local plant names are also recorded.
- Literature includes looking at ancient and modern texts, including historical records or unpublished documents, that refer to plants and their traditional uses.
- Herbaria and Museums utilize herbarium sheets and associated field notes, which meticulously document plant specimens and their uses. These are extremely useful as they're attached to a specific plant specimen.
- Archaeological Remains examines historical archaeological artifacts to provide insights on the past use of plants. This includes studying remains from ancient sites to understand plant use throughout time.
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Description
Explore the fascinating field of ethnobotany in India, where the knowledge of plants among tribal and rural communities is studied. Discover how this multidisciplinary field combines aspects of plant science, anthropology, and culture, showcasing the rich flora and unique practices embedded in Indian society.
